Fundamental Science Practices Frequently Asked Questions
What USGS scientific information products must follow FSP?
How does USGS define peer review and what are the FSP peer review requirements?
How is approval granted and what documents at a minimum must be submitted to the approving official?
What is the foundation of FSP?
What Federal Government policies require the release of scientific data, and how does the USGS intend to meet these requirements?
What is considered USGS scientific software and what are the USGS requirements for releasing it?
What types of project progress information can be reported and why is that important?
The frequently asked questions (FAQs) represent a Bureau consensus to ensure interpretations of Fundamental Science Practices (FSP) policies are uniformly applied throughout the USGS. These FAQs provide further explanation of the FSP and related publishing policies, as well as describe the procedures and decision making necessary to meet the policy requirements.
FSP Background
FSP Background
Authorship
Authorship
Review
Review
Approval
Approval
USGS Publication Series
USGS Publication Series
Journal Publications
Journal Publications
Metadata
Metadata
Data
Data
Software
Software
Project Reporting and Cooperator Publications
Project Reporting and Cooperator Publications
Web Pages, Conferences, Abstracts, and Presentations
Web Pages, Conferences, Abstracts, and Presentations
Preprints
Preprints
The FAQs will be updated as necessary and changes in the form of additions or revisions are reflected by date (month/year) as they occur. Questions about the FSP that are not addressed here should be directed to gs_fspac@usgs.gov.
FSP Frequently Asked Questions
FSP Frequently Asked Questions
Filter Total Items: 207
What criteria and guidance are available for determining or attributing authorship of information products? [022] What criteria and guidance are available for determining or attributing authorship of information products? [022]
Authors are the ones responsible for the preparation and content of the information product. Authorship should be limited to the individual or individuals who make a substantial intellectual contribution to conception or design of the investigation; the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data; and the content of the information product. [Read more]
How may coauthorship order be addressed for group projects that result in multiple products or sections within a larger product? [023] How may coauthorship order be addressed for group projects that result in multiple products or sections within a larger product? [023]
In such instances, group members determine the order of coauthorship from one information product to another as they deem appropriate. In the case of lengthy information products, group members determine if authorship of individual sections may be separately designated to recognize specialized contributions. [Read more]
How do USGS authors list their affiliation in the bylines of information products? [024] How do USGS authors list their affiliation in the bylines of information products? [024]
The Bureau affiliation in outside publications should be shown first as “U.S. Geological Survey.” The author’s science center name may be listed next. If applicable, a laboratory or university affiliation follows. [Read more]
How do contractors use a USGS affiliation in the author byline? [025] How do contractors use a USGS affiliation in the author byline? [025]
The byline includes the contract author's company name or location/town (if self-employed), followed by “Contractor to the U.S. Geological Survey.” [Read more]
How do students, interns, volunteers (including scientists emeriti), visiting scientists, and retirees use a USGS affiliation in their author byline? [026] How do students, interns, volunteers (including scientists emeriti), visiting scientists, and retirees use a USGS affiliation in their author byline? [026]
These authors use a USGS affiliation in their byline if they are funded in full or in part by the Bureau to do the work or receive other support from the USGS in performance of the work. The byline includes the author’s specific relationship or role, followed by U.S. Geological Survey. [Read more]
What FSP requirements related to authorship apply to a recently hired USGS employee? [027] What FSP requirements related to authorship apply to a recently hired USGS employee? [027]
Work completed prior to employment with the USGS is not subject to the FSP review and approval requirements. Work started prior to USGS employment and completed as part of the employee’s official duties with the USGS must follow FSP review and approval requirements. [Read more]
How does a recently hired USGS employee show authorship for work completed prior to their USGS employment? [028] How does a recently hired USGS employee show authorship for work completed prior to their USGS employment? [028]
The primary authorship affiliation reflects where the work was done. The author can add their current USGS affiliation using, for example, "current address: U.S. Geological Survey, [insert Science Center name, city, state]," which indicates that the work was not done at or on behalf of the USGS.
How is affiliation shown in the author byline for work initiated prior to USGS employment, but completed as a USGS employee? [029] How is affiliation shown in the author byline for work initiated prior to USGS employment, but completed as a USGS employee? [029]
Both the former and USGS affiliations are shown. The USGS affiliation is shown first, for example, "U.S. Geological Survey [insert Science Center name, city, state] and [insert where work was initiated]." Consult SPN if the work is to be released in USGS publications. [Read more]
What statements are used in USGS-authored information products (including USGS series publications, journal articles, cooperator publications, and others) when crediting cooperators or collaborators? [030] What statements are used in USGS-authored information products (including USGS series publications, journal articles, cooperator publications, and others) when crediting cooperators or collaborators? [030]
Depending on the agreement and information product type, use one of the following statements: "Prepared in cooperation [collaboration] with (name of cooperator or collaborator)" or “Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey." [Read more]
What are the requirements for using proprietary information and copyrighted materials in information products? [031] What are the requirements for using proprietary information and copyrighted materials in information products? [031]
Proprietary information requires both an acknowledgment and written permission from the owner. For copyrighted materials, such as illustrations and photographs used, the figure caption contains the specific words requested by the copyright owner or "Copyrighted; used with permission." [Read more]
What is the guidance on placement of acknowledgment and credit statements in USGS publications described in SM 1100.3? [032] What is the guidance on placement of acknowledgment and credit statements in USGS publications described in SM 1100.3? [032]
Templates available on the internal SPN website provide guidance to authors on placement of acknowledgment and crediting statements in USGS publications. Contact the Science Publishing Network for further information. [Read more]
What happens if a USGS scientist is added as an author to an information product that has been submitted for outside publication or is published? [033] What happens if a USGS scientist is added as an author to an information product that has been submitted for outside publication or is published? [033]
The USGS author should contact the lead outside author and request that the publication not be made publicly accessible (i.e., galleys should not be posted online) until USGS FSP requirements are met. Alternatively, the USGS scientist’s name should be removed as an author and added to the acknowledgments. [Read more]
How do FSP review and approval requirements apply when a non-USGS scientist is the lead or senior author of a scientific information product? [034] How do FSP review and approval requirements apply when a non-USGS scientist is the lead or senior author of a scientific information product? [034]
The FSP review and approval requirements apply to a USGS scientist who is a coauthor even if a non-USGS scientist is the lead or senior author. If the FSP requirements are not followed, the USGS scientist may not be listed as a coauthor.
How are disputes or disagreements concerning authorship handled? [035] How are disputes or disagreements concerning authorship handled? [035]
Coauthors must make every effort to resolve authorship-related disputes or disagreements among themselves. If disputes or disagreements cannot be resolved among the coauthors, USGS employees should consult their supervisory/management organizational alignment up to the Regional Director or Associate Director for assistance. [Read more]
Where can I find additional guidance related to scientific integrity and authorship? [036] Where can I find additional guidance related to scientific integrity and authorship? [036]
Department of the Interior (DOI) FAQs on Authorship in Scientific and Scholarly Work Products are available as part of additional guidance made available on the USGS Scientific Integrity website, which also includes links to the DOI Scientific Integrity website and the DOI Code of Conduct. [Read more]
A book publisher has contacted me to contribute a short "blurb" review of content for the back of a book cover. As a USGS scientist, will my positive review be interpreted as an endorsement? [037] A book publisher has contacted me to contribute a short "blurb" review of content for the back of a book cover. As a USGS scientist, will my positive review be interpreted as an endorsement? [037]
Yes. By definition, a short review or "blurb" placed by the book publisher on the back cover, elsewhere on the book jacket, or as front matter or back matter inside the book is an endorsement of the contents. A USGS employee must not associate his or her position or affiliation with the USGS in these kinds of reviews. [Read more]
How does USGS define peer review and what are the FSP peer review requirements? [038] How does USGS define peer review and what are the FSP peer review requirements? [038]
USGS defines peer review as scrutiny of work or ideas by colleagues (peers) who are well qualified and who are of equal standing with one another. The FSP requirements for peer review of USGS science information products are found in SM 502.3. [Read more]
Can supervisors and/or managers serve as peer reviewers for information products authored by employees they supervise and vice versa? [039] Can supervisors and/or managers serve as peer reviewers for information products authored by employees they supervise and vice versa? [039]
No. For all USGS science information products an author and his/her supervisor are not allowed to serve as peer reviewers for one another, regardless of any collegial relationship or the expertise of either because doing so could be perceived as a conflict of interest. [Read more]
What are the recordkeeping requirements for peer review comments, peer review reconciliation, and draft documents associated with a given USGS information product? [040] What are the recordkeeping requirements for peer review comments, peer review reconciliation, and draft documents associated with a given USGS information product? [040]
Peer review comments and reconciliation documents must follow the National Archives and Records Administration-approved recordkeeping schedule requirements found in USGS General Records Disposition Schedule, Chapter 1300. These short-term, temporary records must be retained by the Bureau for 3 years after publishing or until they are no longer needed for reference, whichever is later. [Read more]
What are the OMB requirements for peer review of influential products? [041] What are the OMB requirements for peer review of influential products? [041]
The Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review requires public posting of documentation about the planning and conducting of peer review for those information products that Federal agencies have designated as influential scientific information or highly influential scientific assessments (terms defined by the OMB). [Read more]
What are the categories of “Open Access” journals and what are the FSP peer review requirements for these products? [042] What are the categories of “Open Access” journals and what are the FSP peer review requirements for these products? [042]
Journal peer review processes—Category 1: anonymous peer reviews and draft manuscripts are not available to the public; USGS approval process for peer-reviewed journal articles is used. Category 2: peer reviews of draft manuscripts open to the public; two USGS-initiated peer reviews and Bureau approval are required before sending the manuscript to journal. [Read more]